Review Summary

Pros

Some
rooms have kitchens, fireplaces, and terraces with beautiful views

Lovely
outdoor pool with gorgeous hillside views

Authentic
regional cuisine and local wines at on-site restaurant and bar

Agritourism activities like horseback riding and grape picking

Barbecue grills and outdoor wood-burning oven

Kids' playground plus basketball court

Free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and outdoor parking

Pets
allowed for free

Cons

No air-conditioning and room
linens only changed by request

On-site
parking is limited and pool is seasonal

Far
from major attractions (but that's the point)

Bottom Line

The 11-room Agriturismo
Montupoli is a charming, two-and-a-half-pearl farmhouse hotel situated in a beautiful rural setting in the Abruzzo countryside,
25-minutes outside of Chieti. Homey, rustic rooms have ensuite bathrooms, and
some have private kitchens and terraces with superb hillside views. However,
there is no air-conditioning and linens are changed by request only. A
delightful, seasonal pool as well as an on-site restaurant with local dishes
and wine are the major highlights for guests, and guests can partake in classic agritourism activities like picking grapes and olives. Travelers seeking something closer to attractions may want to consider the beachfront Hotel
Baltic, which features a more modern style and a wellness center.

Oyster Hotel Review

Built in 1950, this
family-run hotel is crafted from gray Majella mountain stone and has the inviting atmosphere of an authentic Italian home. As the name suggests, the hotel provides opportunities to pick grapes and olives, or explore the area on horseback. A traditional,
rustic style permeates the cozy interiors, with pebble tile floors, antique farm
tools, and wine bottles throughout. Pops of color
like blue tablecloths in the restaurant or bright plaid ones in the breakfast room, as well as traditional artwork, help
to offset the neutral tones. An outdoor terrace that wraps around the hotel has hammocks and seating as
well as wonderful hillside views. Guests are mostly
families and couples looking for an authentic Italian stay outside of the city.

The Agriturismo Montupoli
is located in the Abruzzo countryside in an isolated area surrounded by green, rolling hills. Miglianico, the closest town, is a five-minute drive, while the coastal town of Francavilla al Mare is a 20-minute drive. Popular
destinations such as Pescara Harbor, Riccio Beach, and Ortona are a 25-minute
drive, as is the closest city, Chieti. Abruzzo Airport and the train station are
within a 35-minute drive, so is Montesilvano Beach. The hotel is a little more than an hour's drive to Majella National Park, with gorgeous meadows and mountains. Bus service runs from the Pescara
bus terminal to the hotel, however most guests need a rental car to reach
tourist spots.

Individually decorated
rooms all have a rustic, traditional style with bright accents that can include artwork, colorful sheets, or brightly-hued walls. Metal bed frames in many rooms are paired with antique-style dark wood
furniture, plus some rooms have fireplaces. These are simple rooms, though, and while most have flat-screen TVs, some have old tube-style TVs and there is no air-conditioning. The Family Suite has a private kitchen and a terrace with marvelous landscape views. Linens are changed only by
request. Bathrooms are small and basic, equipped with showers, hairdryers, and toiletries, plus some have bidets.

The hotel has a seasonal outdoor pool with beautiful hillside views and a sundeck lined with white lounge chairs. Authentic regional dishes and local Abruzzo wines are served
at the on-site restaurant and bar, and there is a free breakfast with
croissants, coffee, and cakes. A laptop is available for guests' use in the
restaurant and Wi-Fi is free throughout. The kids' playground resides
in a large grassy area with a swing set, Ping-Pong table, and a basketball court.
Horse riding is also offered and the hotel can arrange agritourism excursions like grape and olive picking. Pets are allowed without any fees or
restrictions. On-site parking is free, but limited to one spot per room.